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Ralph Büchi appointed new Ringier Group COO

Ralph Büchi appointed new Ringier Group COO

Ringier strengthens its Group Executive Board, appointing Ralph Büchi (59) as the new Ringier Group Chief Operating Officer.

Ralph Büchi will take up his new duties as COO of the Ringier Group on June 1, 2017. In this role, Büchi will also become CEO of Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland AG. This joint operation between Ringier and Axel Springer has been in operation since January 2016. With an annual output of 840 issues across 30 different titles, it is Switzerland’s largest magazine publishing house.

In addition to these duties, Ralph Büchi will maintain his position as Board Chairman of Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, the joint venture between Ringier and Axel Springer in Central and Eastern Europe.

In his new function, Büchi will join the Ringier Group Executive Board. He will report directly to the Group CEO Marc Walder and will act as his deputy.

Ralph Büchi began his career in journalism as editor of the Handelszeitung, subsequently becoming that paper’s co-owner and CEO before selling the publishing company to Axel Springer in 1999. He has held the office of Chairman of Axel Springer International since 2008. From 2012 to 2014, he was also a member of the Executive Board of Axel Springer SE.

In the words of Marc Walder, Ringier AG’s CEO, “In recruiting Ralph Buchi, Ringier has been able to secure the services of one of Europe’s most experienced media managers. His wide-ranging know how in both publishing and classified advertising makes him an ideal addition to our management team.”

Ralph Büchi, the Ringier Group’s COO designate, adds, “Because of the positions I have held at Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland and Ringier Axel Springer Media, I have already established a close relationship with the Ringier management team based on a high degree of mutual trust. I very much look forward to carrying out my new duties as a member of the Ringier Group Executive Board.”

Ringier is a diversified media enterprise operating in 19 countries and employing some 6,500 people. Established in 1833, Ringier today operates media brands in the print, TV, radio, online and mobile arenas. The company also runs successful publishing, entertainment and internet businesses. Now in operation for more than 180 years, Ringier is noted for its pioneering spirit and individuality and is committed to independence, freedom of expression and diversity of information. Ringier is a familyowned company whose headquarters are in Zurich.